The toughest test in golf?

Golf’s second major of the year is upon us and what a fascinating week it’s set to be in New York. Shinnecock Hills plays host to the 118th U.S. Open and it’s the fifth time that the American links has had the honour. The lowest score to date? A meagre four-under-par.

The course is an absolute brute, measuring nearly 7,500 yards and that’s with only two par-fives. One hole that we must pick out is the 252-yard par-three second. If the breeze gets up - and with Shinnecock Hills being a links course near the sea it’s likely to - and the second plays into the wind, will we see a few drivers come out? What a sight that would be!

So who to look out for? Well, keep an eye on Phil Mickelson. Lefty is still searching for the Grand Slam and a win at this week’s U.S. Open would see him finally complete his quest, at a course where he finished second last time out in 2004. Tiger Woods will get a lot of attention as we wait to see if the 14-time major winner can regain his killer instinct on the greens to mount a serious challenge this week. He joins Justin Thomas and Dustin Johnson in the standout grouping from rounds one and two.

Oh, and if you weren’t aware, the FIFA World Cup also starts this week. What a choice.